The local chapter offers training to volunteers.
LEWISTON – Western Maine’s chapter of the American Red Cross wants to double its volunteer force, making more people available to help when disasters hit.
Right now, 45 people are ready to answer emergencies in the United Valley chapter counties: Androscoggin, Oxford, Franklin and part of Kennebec.
“If there’s a fire in Rangeley, we’re on the way,” Executive Director Joleen Bedard said at her Lewiston office. “We will do it, whatever it takes.”
It’s tough, though.
During the day, the list of available volunteers shrinks because people are working. Day and night, the charity’s volunteers are stretched, divided into on-call teams. The teams are meant to have a fluid membership, with people circulating through.
However, the chapter is suffering from poor circulation, Bedard said. Too many people spend too long on-call, armed with pagers and lists of people to notify.
Last week, when the roof of a Lewiston apartment building collapsed, Bedard sent two workers from her office to lend a hand because the volunteer pool was unavailable.
Helping people is the chapter’s mission. It ought to be easier, she said.
Even as she looks for volunteers, the national organization is looking for money.
On Tuesday, Bedard received word that the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund was “empty.”
President and CEO Marty Evans called on chapters throughout the country to help raise money.
“It’s not unheard of that there’s $90 million in there,” Bedard said. “Right now, we have nothing.”
People ought to give to the national fund, she said. The money is meant to support chapters that have faced more than their share of trouble.
Meanwhile, each chapter, including Bedard’s, has a fund of its own. Donating to either fund – or both – can be of enormous help, she said.
Local money, not national, helps people who have lost their belongings in a fire or works to gives military people help in the case of a birth or death.
The volunteers are often the way the help is delivered.
“We’re an agency of volunteers,” Bedard said. “I have a staff of five.”
Volunteers typically undergo about 30 hours of free training. They learn about talking with victims, assessing damage and creating a shelter.
dhartill@sunjournal.com
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